MEMBERNEWS


Father fighting MND takes on Three Peaks challenge


A father battling a nerve-damaging terminal illness has defied all odds by becoming the first person to climb The Yorkshire Three Peaks in an all-terrain wheelchair. David Needham, of Cold Newton,


who has Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and is a patient at Chamber member LOROS Hospice, completed the challenge in a specially-made mountain trike in less than 24 hours. The 46-year-old was joined by


the Hospice’s CEO, John Knight, who was part of a six-strong team of friends and volunteers who made David’s challenge possible. David was officially diagnosed


with MND, a condition that invariably damages the nervous system and often leads to muscle weakness, three years ago.


‘It wasn’t until the day before when I was driving through the valleys looking up at the peaks that the enormity of the undertaking was brought swiftly into focus’


He said: “I still recall the “are you


mad?” look that I got back in March when I first suggested attempting the challenge in my mountain trike. “It wasn’t until the day before


when I was driving through the valleys looking up at the peaks that the enormity of the undertaking was brought swiftly into focus.


David Needham with fellow volunteers


When I was diagnosed, I knew I had a choice, I could either sit down and let this happen or I could fight it.” John added: “David is truly a


most impressive individual and it was a real privilege to be part of his challenge. To witness his amazing determination to complete


it, while pressing against the elements, against fatigue and the increasingly challenging mountain footpaths is something I will never forget.” Having received support from


both LOROS Hospice and the MNDA, David has now raised more than £2,000 for the charities.


business network November 2017


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